Court Reporter, Magistrate

Location:

Hamilton County is one of Indiana’s fastest growing, highest educated and wealthiest counties in the state and the Midwest. Two-thirds of the workforce lives and works in the county -- a percent that has remained constant since 2010.  Hamilton County is continually recognized in rankings ranging from “Best Cities to Relocate To” and “Best City to Raise a Family” to “Healthiest County in Indiana” and “Happiest Suburbs in the Nation”.  Come be a part of all Hamilton County has to offer as we work together to serve the citizens of Hamilton County.

Job Description:

Incumbent serves as Court Reporter for Court Administration, responsible for preparing records of court proceedings, certifying truth and accuracy, preparing/processing court documents, providing clerical support, and assisting the public.

High school diploma or GED. Legal secretary and/or paralegal experience preferred; court reporter certification preferred.

Working knowledge of standard office and court policies and procedures and related terminology, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated tasks.

Ability to take shorthand and type with speed and accuracy, and properly operate a variety of standard office equipment, including court recording equipment, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copier, transcriber/Dictaphone, and calculator.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, attorneys, Hamilton County Division of Family and Children, BMV, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.

Ability to work with others in a team environment, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.

Ability to work on several tasks at the same time, often under time pressure, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.

Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to regularly work extended hours, and occasionally work weekend and/or evening hours.

Attends and makes audio tape recordings and notes of various court proceedings, including operating recording equipment, taking shorthand notes, and labeling recorded tapes. Periodically types verbatim transcripts from tapes as requested.

Takes custody of case evidence according to statutory requirements, including inventorying items, packaging, labeling, and filing in evidence room. Disposes of obsolete evidence and exhibits annually according to statute, retention schedule, and local court rules.

Provides clerical support to Commissioner/Circuit Court and Superior Court 1, including delivering mail and documents, maintaining hearing notes, typing on computer various orders, decrees, and correspondence from dictation as assigned.

Communicates daily with control room, including providing hearing schedule and sign-in sheet, notifying them of schedule/location changes, such as juveniles or adults to be transported to court, but not on docket. Communicates daily with various parties regarding case information and/or court schedule as needed, such as other departments, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), attorneys, and the public.

Serves as bailiff, including opening/closing courtroom daily, replenishing supplies, straightening courtroom following each hearing, assisting court participants with proper procedures, ensuring participants are available and ready for hearings, and reporting unusual situations to appropriate personnel.

Performs various clerical duties as assigned or as needed, including retrieving/organizing files for cases scheduled for court, and ensuring all scheduled cases have appropriate entries and forms.

Assists office visitors, providing information, assisting with various forms, and directing appropriate courtroom, individual or department. Responds to telephone inquiries regarding cases as needed.

Makes copies of exhibits and orders for attorneys and public.

Maintains inventory of office supplies, ordering items as needed, and maintains office equipment, including adding paper and toner as needed, checking for proper working order daily, and reporting repair needs.

Periodically serves as Court Reporter in other courts as needed.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Incumbent performs standard, recurring duties according to well-established policies and procedures. Incumbent establishes work assignments, objectives and priorities with supervisor. Errors in incumbent's work are usually prevented through procedural safeguards and legally defined procedures, and are detected through supervisory review. Undetected errors may result in loss of time for correction, work delays and/or inconvenience to other departments/agencies or the public.

Incumbent oversees all court proceedings to ensure and maintain an efficient, safe, and well run court.

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, attorneys, Hamilton County Division of Family and Children, BMV, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, coordinating court calendar, and explaining policies and procedures.

Incumbent reports directly to Court Administrator.

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and courtroom involving sitting for long periods, sitting and walking at will, keyboarding, speaking clearly, close and far vision, color perception, reaching, bending, hearing communication, handling/grasping objects, and lifting/ carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds. Incumbent regularly works extended hours, and occasionally works weekend and/or evening hours.

The job description for the position of Court Reporter for Court Administration describes the duties and responsibilities for employment in this position.  I acknowledge that I have received this job description, and understand that it is not a contract of employment.  I am responsible for reading this job description and complying with all job duties, requirements and responsibilities contained herein, and any subsequent revisions.